Two-Way Talents: Craig Porter Jr.

Hello, and welcome to Two-Way Talents! This series highlights two-way contract players across the association that are balling out and staking a claim for a bigger role. The goal is to give unknown players the attention they deserve. 

The first installment of Two-Way Talents is about an undrafted rookie on the Cleveland Cavaliers, Craig Porter Jr., who has entered the rotation as a result of injuries but could make a case to stay in it.

On Halloween, the Cavaliers were missing Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Ty Jerome, and Ricky Rubio. The backcourt rotation was thin, and Coach Bickerstaff turned to Craig Porter Jr. to fill in off the bench. Porter was ready and answered the call in a major way.

In 22 minutes, the rookie posted 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block. The Cavs went on to lose the game, but Porter was a winner that night. He caught Coach’s eye and earned another shot in the following day’s rematch versus the Knicks. He had a quieter outing that night—just 4 points, a rebound, and a steal in 11 minutes—but he did a few nice things defensively that didn’t show up in the box score. 

So, why is Porter getting a chance? What do Cleveland’s coaches like about him? They’ve established a defense and “dawg” based culture, and Porter fits right in. He was a good defensive player in college and it looks like he’s keeping that same energy in the pros. Through his two appearances, he’s shown the chops to be a quality point-of-attack weapon and that is the skill that will keep him in the rotation. He navigates screens well, both on and off the ball, and does a good job of challenging shooters.  

Porter’s defensive playmaking poise is even more impressive. He has extremely active hands and racks up oodles of steals and blocks. Check out this awesome snag block he made to blow up New York’s transition opportunity. 

The numbers back up the tape for Porter. In his senior year at Wichita State he collected 3.0 stocks per game, and he leads all Cavaliers that have played at least 30 minutes this season in steal percentage and defensive box plus/minus (Basketball Reference’s per-100 possession measurement of defensive value). 

Offensively, Porter hasn’t brought much to the table so far and will need to grow to stick in the league. He’s displayed some craft at the rim, but he’s attempted just one three (which he missed) through three games. In college he was an average shooter on relatively low volume. He’s just 6’2”, and small guards who can’t shoot have a hard time making it in today’s league. The three-ball is his swing skill, and if it comes along his ceiling is probably a Jevon Carter level player (or, on the very high end, Mike Conley). 

With Ricky Rubio out indefinitely for personal reasons, there is a hole to be filled at Cleveland’s backup point guard spot. Craig Porter is getting his audition, and so far, he’s making some noise. Keep an eye on this two-way baller as the season rolls on.